What Was ‘Be Free’ Is Now ‘Tapestry International’ and They Help Victims of Sex Trafficking
The name changes, but the mission remains intact. Truthfully, this organization is willing to advance to great lengths to curtail sex trafficking in South Dakota.
It’s been six years since the Be Free group started providing support services to sex trafficking victims. There is more demand than ever according to Kimberly LaPlante who is the Executive Director of the newly christened Tapestry International-Call to Freedom.
LaPlante says she and her group are deep in the role of providing housing, transportation, medical care and being on call at a moments notice to support those who are in dire straits. To meet those aforementioned needs, funding is paramount.
Beyond helping the vulnerable, the punishment of those who hold sway in these cases also makes an impact. Escaping a life of sex trafficking is one thing, however fleeing the influence of the perpetrators cannot happen without adjudication.
Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler categorizes the serious nature of those who draw people into the web. "The traffickers that are involved in this (have a need) for power and control. They prey on those individuals that are the most vulnerable in our society and taking advantage of them through a variety of means." Seiler says it doesn't matter who traffickers harm in the process.
Under the direction of former U.S. Attorney Brendan Johnson, Seiler and Division Chief Kevin Koliner, South Dakota has been the most effective prosecuting arm in America when it comes to sex trafficking. Over the past five years the South Dakota bureau has prosecuted more men for trafficking than all the other states combined.
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